Wild beavers return to Cornwall for first time in 400 years.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust has released two licensed pairs of wild beavers into a mid‑Cornwall reserve, the county's first fully licensed beaver release in roughly 400 years. Conservation groups say the animals can create wetlands, slow water flow, improve water quality and support greater wildlife diversity.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust has legally released two licensed pairs of wild beavers into a nature reserve in mid‑Cornwall within the Par and Fowey river catchment. This is the county's first fully licensed wild beaver release in about 400 years, following three years of planning and consultation and support from donors and local business St Eval. Beavers were once widespread in Britain but were hunted to extinction around 400 years ago. Conservation groups involved say the species can play a key role in restoring river and wetland habitats. Known details: - The Trust released two pairs of beavers at a reserve in mid‑Cornwall, within the Par and Fowey catchment. - The release is described as the county's first fully licensed wild beaver release in roughly 400 years and followed about three years of planning and consultation. - The project was supported by donors, members and Cornish business St Eval, and was enabled by the government's decision to allow wild releases in England. - Cornwall Wildlife Trust reported that beaver activity can create wetlands, slow water flow, store water, filter pollutants and boost biodiversity; the Trust cited reported increases such as tripling pond and water plant diversity, more than 6,000% increases in frogspawn, higher bird abundance up to 100 m from sites, almost 400% rises in bat activity, 24% more moth species and a sevenfold rise in dragonfly species. - The Wildlife Trusts said the licensed release went through a formal application process and could pave the way for more releases; they reported hopes of releasing around 100 beavers into seven rivers this year if other applications go to plan. Summary: The organisations involved call this a landmark moment for nature recovery in Cornwall and part of wider efforts to restore resilient river and wetland landscapes. If further applications proceed as hoped, Wildlife Trusts say additional licensed releases could follow this year.